Schiff Cosponsors Initiatives that Will Provide a New Direction for America
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Schiff announced that he has cosponsored legislation that will make the American people safer, Congress more honest and open, our economy fairer, and will build a better future for all of America’s children. These initiatives, called the “100 Hours” legislation, are a group of bills that will be taken up in the first 100 legislative hours of the 110th Congress and consist of ethics reform, fiscal reform, homeland security, minimum wage and other key priorities.
“In November, the American people spoke, and we in Congress must now act immediately and bring America in a new direction,” Schiff said. “These initiatives will ensure better opportunities for all Americans. I plan to do all I can to ensure these bills pass quickly with bipartisan support so Americans get the help they need now.”
This legislation was drafted in response to the American people’s call for greater integrity in Washington. In November 2006, Americans called for common-sense proposals needed to improve the everyday lives of all Americans. In response, the “Six for ‘06” agenda addresses critical economic, homeland security, health care, and educational concerns of ordinary families. The “100 Hours” legislation builds on the “Six for ‘06” agenda.
The “100 Hours” legislation aims to:
- Ensure honest leadership and open government in Congress by providing more transparency in Congress;
- Implement Congressional fiscal responsibility by requiring “pay-as-you go” budget discipline;
- Implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations in order to better protect all Americans;
- Institute the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations on intelligence oversight reform to ensure Americans their right to privacy under the rule of law;
- Increase in the minimum wage so all Americans can earn a livable wage:
- Provide resources for life-saving stem cell research;
- Require Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices so seniors and the disabled have affordable access to the prescription drugs they need;
- Cut interest rates on student loans to provide better access for everyone to higher education; and
- Repeal big oil subsidies and invest in renewable fuels to ease the pain at the pump and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Rep. Schiff was recently appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee in the 110th Congress. In the 109th Congress, Rep. Schiff served on the House International Relations Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.